Love Behind the Gates of Ivory - Chapter 3/12
Title : Love Behind the Gates of Ivory - Chapter 3/12
Author: pandorasimp
Rating: PG
Pairing: Archie/Ruby
Story Summary:An Archie/Ruby romance from Heart of Darkness to the Finale. WIP
Chapter Word count: 1388
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
“You’re awake and dressed,” Granny said surprised. “Does that mean you’re coming in this morning?”
“I am.” Ruby said as she poured herself a cup of coffee and sat across from her grandmother at the kitchen table.
“So…I noticed you went out last night. I actually thought you stayed out since I didn’t wake up to you screaming.” Granny looked up from her coffee and asked, “I take it no nightmares last night?”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Granny sighed, “Well they say that type of activity helps.”
Ruby shot her grandmother a quizzical look.
“Activity? What are you talk…“ Her mouth dropped open when she realized what she meant. “Granny! I was not…. There was no activity. I was over at Archie’s place.”
Granny’s face brightened and she gave Ruby a big smile.
“Archie’s? That’s great! I always hoped you’d wise up and see the value of a decent man like Archie Hopper instead of the bad boy losers you normally bring around.”
Ruby raised her eyebrows.
“Whoa, slow down crazy lady. We had a cup of tea and talked. He helped me get a grip on the nightmares I’ve been having. That’s all. Besides, Archie has never shown any signs that he’d be interested in me that way.”
Granny scoffed. “Just because he doesn’t leer and ogle doesn’t mean he isn’t interested. It just means he’s not rude.”
Ruby rolled her eyes and took a sip of her coffee. She hated admitting when Granny had a valid point. Judging from the smug grin on Granny’s face, she didn’t have to.
Satisfied, Granny got up from her chair.
“I’m going in now to open. Make sure your there by the time we start serving and I‘ll need you to run the rent over to Mr. Gold sometime today.”
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The diner was packed that morning but Ruby noticed a couple regulars were missing.
Emma, who always stopped in to at least get a coffee to go, hadn’t shown up. Ruby hoped it was because she found something to help Mary Margaret.
Archie also hadn’t come in.
Ruby didn’t know if it was because she hadn’t been to work for days or if it was the same reasons she had for not wanting to go out socializing but she found the regular male customers who she normally had to humor for tips, to be especially annoying that morning.
She had to remind herself to smile and be friendly. The tip jar needed it, but she kept looking at the door.
She was just pouring Dr. Whale a refill when Archie came in. She barely registered what Dr. Can’t Take a Hint was telling her. Something about how she should have come to see him to see him if she was feeling ill and his special examination that could’ve helped her.
She forced a smile, excused herself and headed straight for Archie’s table.
“Good morning Archie,” she said with a big grin.
“Ruby! Glad to see you’re back at work.”
“Thanks,” she said and poured him a coffee. “Your usual breakfast today? It’s on the house.”
Archie gave her a quizzical look. “Really? “
Ruby put her hand on his shoulder and said just loud enough for the others to hear, “After what you did for me last night, it’s the least I can do.”
She turned around wearing a mischievous grin, winked at Dr. Whale and returned to the counter where Granny was leaning.
“Real cute.” Granny said.
“Too much?” Ruby asked.
“Look at the poor guy. He’s redder than your lipstick.”
They both looked over to the table where a very red faced Archie was sitting. Dr. Whale was gaping at him. He looked over at Dr. Whale, shrugged and raised his cup as if to say cheers before taking a sip. His face was red but there was also a big smile on it, easing Ruby’s guilt considerably.
Granny turned to her, “As soon as the morning rush is over I want you to take the rent over to Mr. Gold’s shop.”
-----
Ruby brought out Archie’s breakfast and gave him a meek smile.
“Hope I didn’t embarrass you too much.”
He looked up, “Nothing to worry about. It was actually rather funny.”
Ruby giggled, “I’m glad you thought so, but I wasn’t joking about what you did for me last night. I finally slept ok.”
Archie gestured to the seat across from him. “Would you like to sit down?"
Ruby looked over her shoulder for Granny but didn’t see her.
"Maybe for a minute, I’m supposed to be taking the rent over to Mr. Gold’s shop," she said, scrunching her face.
“Ah. Not a favorite task I take it?"
"Not really."
“Well Mr. Gold seems to have an unnerving effect on a lot of people."
“Actually I don’t have a problem with him. He’s always nice and polite, at least to me. It’s his shop. Some of the things in there are so creepy.”
“Well, if you like, I can go with you?”
“Really? I know I’m being silly but that would be great. You sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all. We can go as soon as I’m done?”
“Sure take your time.” Ruby said. She got up and noticed Granny at the counter who, for once, was not giving her a stern look for fraternizing with the customers.
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“It’s locked” Ruby said, trying to peer in through the window.
“He’s probably at the sheriff’s office. I know he’s providing counsel to Mary Margaret.” Archie peered in beside her.
“Dr. Hopper, Ruby?”
They both jumped and turned around to see Mr. Gold behind them. Ruby couldn’t think of anyone else who was able to sneak up on her like that. Most of the time, she knew when someone was approaching.
“Granny sent me over to pay the rent.” She said and waved the envelope she held in her hand.
“Ah good. Always nice not to have to go and pick it up. Please, come inside and I’ll get you a receipt.” He unlocked the door and held it open for them to enter.
She entered the dimly lit the shop, grateful to have Archie behind her.
“I apologize for not being here. I’m afraid I’ve had to close the shop down often lately.” Mr. Gold said as he went behind his counter and grabbed a large book.
“Yes, I understand you’re helping Mary Margaret. Are you having any luck?” Archie asked looking around.
“Unfortunately not yet but I’m confident that in the end it will work out.” he replied, not looking up.
Ruby tried to avoid looking around and focused on Archie who had managed to find the two most disturbing items in the whole shop. He looked over at her and she mouthed the word “creepy” to him before he looked back at the puppets.
“Here you are dear.”
Ruby, startled at being snuck up on for a second time, looked over at Mr. Gold who was right next to her holding the receipt.
"Thanks," she said taking it from his hands.
She looked over at Archie who was still staring at the puppets, “Archie?”
He didn’t respond. She looked beside her to Mr. Gold who was watching him intently with an eerie smile on his face.
Ruby went up to Archie and touched his shoulder.
“Archie?” she asked again.
Archie shook his head, “Sorry what?”
“Ready to go?”
“Um yeah. I mean yes.”
As they made their way out, Mr. Gold called, "Make sure you say hello you grandmother for me."
"I will," Ruby replied giving him her best smile.
When they got outside Ruby notice how pale Archie had gotten.
“Are you ok Archie?”
“Hmmm? Um yeah…. I’m fine but your right about his shop, funny how I didn’t notice it before.”
“Are you sure you’re ok?" Ruby was getting worried, he didn't seem at all like himself at all. "I don’t want to go back to the diner if you’re not.”
“No, no I’m fine Ruby, really and I need to… um, get back to the office.”
“Ok, well thanks again for coming with me. I’ll see you later okay?”
“See you later Ruby.” Archie replied, still looking disorientated but well enough to turn around and start walking to his office.
Against her better judgment, Ruby headed back to work.